While you might assume that custom mouthguards are solely designed to protect your teeth, they actually serve another very important purpose. Custom mouthguards can help prevent concussions better than normal over-the-counter mouthguards that you would find in a store.
If you, or your child, are particularly athletic, you may find yourself needing to purchase a mouthguard. While sports equipment can be expensive, this is one area you don’t want to scrimp on.
Mouthguards custom made by a dentist can help prevent concussions much better. A study published by General Dentistry chose 412 high school football players and assigned a group to wear custom-made mouthguards from a dentist and the other half used regular mouthguards.
The study showed that out of the group wearing the over-the-counter mouthguards, 8.3% sustained concussions, or mild traumatic brain injuries, while the group with custom made mouthguards only had a much lower percentage, 3.6%.
While helmets are key in preventing concussions, it’s been proven that mouthguards are an essential piece of the protection. The custom made fitted mouthguards are the best and most effective way to prevent concussions.
If you’re interested in learning more about custom mouthguards, contact our office today to schedule a consultation.